Once again it’s been a long while since the last blog post! This is mostly due to the whirlwind of activity that’s been taking place in order to make sure that Grow An Exhibition is a success is leaving very little time for the admin side! The project is ‘full steam ahead’ since receiving Arts Council England funding in April. I have been busy planting this year’s crops at Tuppenny Barn and my other partner gardens.
Last time I posted I had received a refresher in paper-making from Tanya Wood. Now that last year’s flax crops have been processed I have moved on to making paper from the plant fibres. I am pleased with the sample pieces of paper produced and am looking forward to experimenting with other plant materials. This paper will form the body of work for the exhibitions in 2016 at Art Space Portsmouth, Tuppenny Barn and Aspex Gallery.
In addition to the flax, I am once again growing Glass Gem corn (which I have termed ‘Funky Corn’). Since planting them in mid-June they have grown to over five foot tall, much bigger than this time last year. This is partly due to two wheelbarrow loads of manure, but mainly from all the rain we have had this ‘summer’. I am looking forward to unwrapping the cobs in the autumn. I am planning on involving schoolchildren in this process as I think that they will enjoy seeing the myriad of colours that are concealed inside each cob appear as they unwrap it. Last year I discovered that there were many willing adult volunteers who were amazed and delighted by the beautiful kernels they uncovered.
I will be posting more regular updates on the paper making, artworks and exhibitions now that the project is in full swing. If you wish to receive monthly project updates via email please sign up to my mailing list.
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